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Dear Friends:
I share the joy of those who congregate to celebrate the annual Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Observance in memory of a leader and a
role model for those who believe in justice and equality.
Dr. King once said that: “One of the great liabilities of history is
that all too many people fail to remain awake through great periods of
social change. But today our very survival depends on our ability to
stay awake, to adjust to new ideas, to remain vigilant and face the
challenge of change.” His words resonate as we start a new era for New
York State.
Let us be guided by Dr. King’s words as we build a bright future for our
state. There has never been a time more exciting in our history. We are
writing a new chapter when we will be called upon to respond in times of
crisis as our great civil rights leader once did.
To meet that challenge, we must understand that solutions can not be
derived from the acrimony of antagonism. We must recognize that we can
have unity even if we do not have uniformity, and that our different
ideas when coalesced can help this state.
My warmest regards to this “beloved community” that strives to emulate
Dr. King’s life of service for the betterment of mankind.
Sincerely,
David A. Paterson, Governor
New York State
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